Black Monday

By: R. Scott Reiss

Narrated by: Dick Hill

When a Muslim cleric predicts planes will fall from the sky, America braces for a terrorist attack. But when the prediction proves true, the real cause is far more terrifying: a microbe that eats oil, effectively destroying all gas-operated mechanisms. Gillette, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control, understands the devastation that the microbe could wreak. But his far-more-chilling theory is that the microbe is synthetic and the work of terrorists. When no one will listen, Gillette must take it upon himself to stop the epidemic only he can foresee. As the world's economy grinds to a crashing halt, Gillette races against the clock to find the source of the microbe and its antidote.

This gripping, high-concept thriller about a virus that is eating the world's oil supply is reminiscent of Michael Crichton's best.

©2007 R. Scott Reiss (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Reiss, a Hollywood screenwriter, has created a true page-turner of pell-mell action and momentum, already in production as a movie." (Publishers Weekly)

Good Book, Dreadful Narration

The story itself was not bad, but the narrator was horrible. I almost didn’t finish listening to the book because I found him to be so annoying. The story line was just good enough to keep me coming back.

First, the narrator’s sound level is grossly inconsistent. Listening to the book was uncomfortable because the volume was never right. It was either turned up quite high so I could hear him when his voice dropped quiet (which resulted in the volume being painfully loud when he talked at normal levels) or it was at a comfortable level for when he talked normal and I couldn’t hear what he said when he got quiet. I about wore out my volume buttons on my stereo trying to constantly find a comfortable level. I never did.

Second, the narrator’s way of speaking when talking for a distressed child or upset woman made me want to throw my iPod across the room in frustration. He sounded like a very bad impersonation of a cartoon character. Here he is speaking as a person who is anguished and I had no sympathy for the character. I just wanted him to stop with the irritating voice.

I don’t care who the author is – if I see that Dick Hill is the narrator for another audio book I will not buy it. I recommend this book but not this narrator.

Interesting story with a rushed ending

What did you like best about Black Monday? What did you like least?

Concept and plot were entertaining. The ending just didn't fit the book, like the writer just worte something to get it done.

Would you ever listen to anything by R. Scott Reiss again?

I would

Have you listened to any of Dick Hill’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Can't go wrong with Dick Hill

Do you think Black Monday needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not really, author seemed to struggle down at the end

Any additional comments?

Worth a credit